Invader3K

Yeah...based on the fact that he said when he bought the Brewers that he forsaw he and his family owning the franchise "For the next 20 years or beyond." Clearly he's poised to sell the team for a quick buck in the next year or two.

As far as market share, and the merger not being approved, my understanding is that the new Miller/Coors company would have about a 29% market share, where Anheuser-Busch has an approximately 48% market share...so they would still be a distant #2.

I'm sure a lot of people are wondering about the Milwaukee jobs right now. It sounds like it won't be known for sometime where the merged company headquarters will be, though, according to what they were saying on WTMJ this morning.

From the Wisconsin State Journal: Molson Coors, SABMiller combine U.S. operations in joint venture By LAUREN SHEPHERD AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) -- Brewers Molson Coors Brewing Co. and SABMiller PLC plan to combine their U.S. operations in a joint venture, which the makers of Miller Lite and Coors Light said should help them compete more effectively. The new MillerCoors, announced Tuesday, will compete with U.S. industry leader Anheuser-Busch Cos., maker of Budweiser, Michelob and Bud Light. SABMiller will have a 58 percent economic interest in the venture and MolsonCoors will own 42 percent of the new company. They will have equal voting interests, however. Precise financial terms were not disclosed. London-based SABMiller, which brews Miller Lite as well as a slew of European beers, and Molson Coors, the brewer of Coors Light and the craft beer Blue Moon, will each have five representatives on its board of directors. Pete Coors, vice chairman of Molson Coors, will serve as chairman of the new company and Molson Coors Chief Executive Leo Kiely will be the new CEO of the joint venture. Tom Long, CEO of Miller, will be appointed president and chief commercial officer. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies said they will conduct all of their U.S. business exclusively through the venture. The companies project MillerCoors will have combined annual beer sales of 69 million U.S. barrels with revenue of about $6.6 billion. Coors said the joint venture will allow both companies to compete for U.S. consumers who are "looking for greater choice and differentiation," as wine and spirits continue to entice beer drinkers and imports and craft beers garner a larger share of the market. The companies said by combining their U.S. operations, the venture will be able to invest more in marketing its brands to consumers and compete more effectively with larger brewers like Anheuser-Busch and InBev NV S.A., which imports a large number of global beers into the U.S. and is the world's largest brewer by volume. "Given the highly complementary nature of our U.S. assets, operations and geographic footprint, this is a logical and compelling combination that we expect will create significant value for shareholders while benefiting distributors, consumers, retailers and the market overall," said SABMiller Chief Executive Graham Mackay. SABMiller shares rose 2.3 percent to 1,499 pence ($30.57) in midday trading in London. The companies said the deal will add to both of their earnings in the second full year of combined operations. Final approval of the deal is expected by the end of 2007, the companies said.

Well, not to get too off topic, but 1 team can beat 25 players, no matter how well they are paid. I think the Yankees are learning that the hard way. I'm sure this is the kind of pressure Joe Torre needs right now, not that he probably wasn't aware to begin with.

crackley: I agree with what you're saying, at least in principle. Miller Park is still a good entertainment value. Parking is dirt cheap compared to most other cities (other than maybe Tampa Bay, where it's free). You can tailgate before the game with your own stuff and bring in unopened food into the stadium, and not pay for food at Miller Park concession stands, etc. Like I mentioned, for me, it doesn't affect me too much. My wife and I are on solid financial ground (we're by no means wealthy, though), and have no kids. Dropping fifty bucks on game tickets and driving to Miller Park isn't too big a deal for us. It can be for a lot of our friends who don't have the same advantages, and are maybe just out of college, etc. I just feel bad for young families and blue collar people who might have a tougher time making it to a ball game now. Prices have gone up steadily each season for the last couple years, and I just think that is slightly worrisome for some people.

Those are some decent jumps in ticket prices, it looks like. Well, I'm going to look at a 10 pack for next season, assuming they're still available. Those individual game ticket prices are getting a little steeper, assuming what is in the other thread is accurate. It doesn't affect me as much, but it's going to get harder to organize road trips with friends...especially since we don't live in the greater Milwaukee area. My one big concern with Attanasio has been that it seems like Miller Park is becoming more of a "high end experience" for the fairly affluent, rather than something accessible to the average working person, and it seems like that trend is continuing.

Brady will probably find a spot on another team, I would bet.

I doubt they'll make any really drastic changes to the ticket plans. I'm sure there will be some price increases, maybe some more "marquee games", but I doubt they're going to make any severe changes.

I thought it was a nice letter. Basically what I expected him to say, but it was nice to hear from the owner.

Yeah, that one was pretty sweet. I think SNL has gotten a bit better the last couple years, but maybe it's just me.

Will the Brewers ever get to play against the AL West in interleague? It seems like it's been forever.

I agree that some week night promotions would be nice. I'm sure the bobbles on Fridays have helped the Friday night attendance tremendously, though.

It's been a mixed season. I think people are finally taking the Brewers seriously as contenders in the NL Central, both throughout the league and in the media. Still, I was figuring the team was going to be more in the 85-87 win range, so only 81-83 wins is a little disappointing, especially given the circumstances of the season. I do appreciate that the team was playing meaningful baseball in September, and not just conducting early spring training. Some big choices will have to be made by Melvin (and Attanasio) this off-season.

Yes, I was at the game last night, and both my wife and I got one of these certificates. It was a nice surprise, coupled with a team representative at the doors (I have no idea who, but it wasn't one of the regular ushers/service people) thanking us for our support. A nice gesture from the Brewers.

C'mon Brewers, make up for the last two games and give us a win. Nice graphics, woogie. I like 'em.

I was at the game last night, and boy, what a frustrating evening. I was hoping to cheer them to an 82nd win, but between the bad defense, and bad start by Gallardo, it just wasn't the Brewers' night. At least we're getting to relive that magical '05 season, and see if the team can break .500, I guess.

I know this is a tough one, but I'm just curious if anyone has a couple extra tickets available for the final game of the season (hopefully half decent seats)? I believe SRO is all that's available at this point. PM me if you have anything to offer, I'm willing to pay a fair price.

I will be there tonight, along with Mrs. Invader...I think we're in section 210 or something. Really would love to see the Crew clinch a winning season, if nothing else at this point.

I guess, while I was somewhat gleeful to see Pujols get hit last night, I think it was a bad decision that may not have cost the Brewers the game, but contributed to it, at least. I don't think handing the lineup card to your bench coach, in the middle of a "down to the wire" playoff race is ever a good move. Theoretically Yost could still be down the hallway yelling instructions, but we have no proof of that. I guess I wish the Brewers had just risen above LaRussa's petty crap and played to win, and not tried to get revenge or show the other manager up.

I would probably go with Braun, because of his high average. I think after that my choices would be Hart, Fielder, and Dillon, in that order.

"No", and this should be in the trades forum.

I agree that I hope Yost keeps managing as he has this past month, for the most part. He's definitely been determined to win. It doesn't hurt that the players have been executing by and large, either.

I did not win. Looking like it's not going to matter, sadly.

I've been gone the last few days (in Boston for a wedding), so I haven't had much chance to follow the games closely, and I guess I'm thankful for that at this point. 3.5 games behind the Cubs. Just sad.